Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit shakes coalition with exit over Gaza deal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
Today 11:24
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In his resignation letter to Netanyahu, Ben Gvir criticized the ceasefire deal as a "surrender" and "a complete victory" for Hamas.

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Israel's far-right Police Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, center, gives a media statement at his office in occupied al-Quds on Thursday, January 16, 2025. (AP)

Just hours after the ceasefire agreement in Gaza took effect, the far-right Otzma Yehudit party officially exited "Israel’s" coalition government, following through on its threat to withdraw if a ceasefire deal with Hamas was enacted.

Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, and "Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience" Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf all submitted their resignation letters to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The party issued a statement confirming that effective immediately, Otzma Yehudit was no longer part of the coalition.

In his resignation letter to Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir acknowledged the "significant achievements" during the prime minister's leadership but criticized the ceasefire deal as a "surrender-to-terror" agreement that "crosses all ideological red lines." He argued that the ceasefire was "a complete victory for terrorism" and stated that the party would no longer support the government on ideological matters.

"We will not return to the government table without a complete victory against Hamas and the full realization of the war's goals," Ben-Gvir emphasized.

Deal is 'reckless'

It is worth noting that Ben-Gvir announced Thursday that his Otzma Yehudit party would leave the coalition government if the recently mediated ceasefire agreement with Hamas is approved.

At the time, Ben-Gvir sharply criticized the deal, describing it as "reckless" and claiming it includes concessions that undermine the Israeli occupation achievements. "The agreement involves releasing hundreds of murderers, the return of hundreds of thousands of Gaza residents to the northern sector, including thousands of terrorists, withdrawal from the Philadelphi Route, and a ceasefire," he stated.

According to Ben-Gvir, the deal "ends all the accomplishments we have achieved for the state and does not ensure the release of all the hostages."

Emphasizing his party's position, Ben-Gvir declared that Otzma Yehudit, under his leadership, "does not topple Netanyahu nor cooperate with the left and its goals against the government. However, we cannot remain part of a government that approves a deal providing a significant reward to Hamas and risks another catastrophe like October 7."

Netanyahu has lately faced mounting internal pressures in light of the ceasefire deal. His key far-right allies have expressed strong opposition to the deal even though it would get the captives out of Gaza.

Ben-Gvir has repeatedly publicly rejected the agreement, while Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionism party, voiced his concerns on X late Wednesday. Smotrich called the deal "bad and dangerous” for the Israeli occupation and demanded "absolute certainty" that the military could resume operations in Gaza if necessary.

Israeli reactions to the ceasefire

Many Israelis expressed anger and opposed the agreement, viewing it as a concession that solidified Hamas’s status as the victor in the war.

Former Israeli general: Hamas is the victor

After 470 days of relentless attacks on Gaza, aimed at eliminating Palestinian Resistance, Former IOF Major General Giora Eiland has admitted that the war ended in a “resounding failure for Israel” and declared Hamas the victor.

Speaking to Channel 7 on Saturday evening, Eiland stated that “Israel” had failed to achieve its declared objectives. “Hamas will recover from the severe blow it suffered, not all the hostages will return, and Israel will not eliminate Hamas’s authority,” he acknowledged, reinforcing earlier critiques of the war’s outcomes.

Protests in Tel Aviv over captive exchange deal

Ahead of the ceasefire’s implementation, Tel Aviv saw widespread protests by settlers opposing the prisoner exchange deal. Demonstrators clashed with police, who deployed skunk water to disperse the crowds.

According to Israeli media, protesters expressed outrage over the agreement, demanding its cancellation. They argued that the deal “will release hundreds of Palestinian detainees, erase the achievements of the war, and pave the way for another attack similar to October 7.”